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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Punctuating Thoughts?

Asked by: Theresa Gaytan

Final Thoughts

  1. Use quotation marks for both speech and thought. Quotation marks will identify these words as actually spoken or literally imagined as thought.
  2. Reserve quotation marks for speech alone. …
  3. Don’t use quotation marks for speech or thought.
  4. If desired, apply italics to thought.

Do you italicize thoughts?

When an author wishes to visually differentiate between thoughts and dialogue, thoughts are often put in italics, especially when the phrase passing through the character’s head is not preceded or followed by the phrase “so-and-so thought.” In second and third person, italics are usually necessary (without the “so-and- …

Do you use apostrophes for thoughts?

Never use quotation marks for thoughts, even if those thoughts are inner dialogue, a character talking to himself. Reserve quotation marks for speech that’s vocalized. Readers should be able to tell when a character is speaking inside his head and when he’s talking aloud, even if he’s the only person in the scene.

Are thoughts in parentheses?

Parentheses are used to express minor thoughts, asides, or humorous additions. They can be sentence fragments or complete sentences. They’re not to be confused with square brackets. Hope that helps.

What character’s thoughts mean?

Character thoughts can be anything your character thinks (and central to my idea of interiority), but Characterizing Thoughts? Those are thoughts that tell us something that contributes to the reader’s understanding of character.

Is The Great Gatsby underlined or italicized?

Italics are important when writing titles of works. In most cases, you should italicize the titles of complete works, like books: The Great Gatsby, Beloved, and The Catcher in the Rye.

How do you show your thoughts in writing?

Here are six writing tips and suggestions for how to write a character’s thoughts:

  1. Use dialogue tags without quotation marks. …
  2. Use dialogue tags and use quotation marks. …
  3. Use Italics. …
  4. Start a new line. …
  5. Use deep POV. …
  6. Use descriptive writing for secondary characters.

Do you use single quotes for thoughts?

Use quotation marks for both speech and thought. Quotation marks will identify these words as actually spoken or literally imagined as thought. Reserve quotation marks for speech alone.

Should I use single or double quotes?

If you are an American, using quotation marks could hardly be simpler: Use double quotation marks at all times unless quoting something within a quotation, when you use single.

What are the 3 rules for using quotations?

Quotation Marks

  • Rule 1. Use double quotation marks to set off a direct (word-for-word) quotation. …
  • Rule 2a. Always capitalize the first word in a complete quotation, even midsentence. …
  • Rule 2b. Do not capitalize quoted material that continues a sentence. …
  • Rule 3a. …
  • Rule 3b. …
  • Rule 3c. …
  • Rule 4. …
  • Rule 5a.

What are some characteristic traits?

Some character traits reveal positive aspects of a person’s underlying values or beliefs.



  • generosity.
  • integrity.
  • loyalty.
  • devoted.
  • loving.
  • kindness.
  • sincerity.
  • self-control.

What is third person omniscient?

THIRD-PERSON OMNISCIENT NARRATION: This is a common form of third-person narration in which the teller of the tale, who often appears to speak with the voice of the author himself, assumes an omniscient (all-knowing) perspective on the story being told: diving into private thoughts, narrating secret or hidden events, …

Which is an example of indirect characterization?

For example, indirect characterization describing a protagonist might read, “John snapped at the man without warning,” whereas direct characterization would say simply, “John was short-tempered.” Indirect characterization is an essential technique in creative writing, but it has its limitations.

What is the purpose of indirect characterization?

Indirect characterization is the process of describing a character through that character’s thoughts, actions, speech, and dialogue. An author will use this type of characterization to guide the reader in making their own conclusions about a character.

How important is characterization in a story?

Characterization is a crucial part of making a story compelling. In order to interest and move readers, characters need to seem real. Authors achieve this by providing details that make characters individual and particular.

What is an indirect trait?

the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character’s speech, actions, appearance, etc.



What are the 4 types of characterization?

An acronym, PAIRS, can help you recall the five methods of characterization: physical description, action, inner thoughts, reactions, and speech.

How do you write a mentally broken character?

To avoid stereotyping and caricature—and to keep your story believable—try these five strategies and tips:

  1. Make the character relatable. …
  2. Keep the narrative front and center. …
  3. Balance internal and overt symptoms and behavior. …
  4. Specify the disorder, at least in your head. …
  5. Get the details right.

What is steal characterization?

By teaching the acronym “STEAL” which stands for Speech, Thoughts, Effects on Others, Actions, and Looks, students gain a tool they can use to analyze characters and the methods an author uses to develop the character.

What are the 5 methods of characterization steal?

Indirect characterization uses five different methods that combine different elements to reveal a character’s personality. To remember these five elements, simply remember the acronym STEAL, which stands for speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions and looks.



What are examples of stealing?

An example of steal is when you take someone’s wallet. An example of steal is when you pretend that someone else’s ideas or work are your own. An example of steal is when you give someone a spontaneous kiss when not expected.